"John Riley" is a traditional English folk song (Roud #264, Laws N42). It is also known as "Johnny Riley", "The Broken Token" and "A Fair Young Maid All in Her Garden", among other titles.

Background

The song is derived from Homer's Odyssey, interpreted through the 17th century English folk ballad tradition, and tells the story of a prospective suitor who asks a woman if she will marry him. She replies that she cannot because she is betrothed to John Riley, who has gone away over the seas. The man persists, asking her whether Riley is worth waiting for and suggesting that he may have drowned, been killed in war, or married another woman. She steadfastly maintains that she will continue to wait for Riley, regardless of his possible fate. In the last stanza, the suitor reveals that he is in fact John Riley, returned from the seas, and has been testing his beloved. The song's theme, that of the "disguised true lover", has long been a theme in traditional folk ballads and several variations of this song exist.

Versions in popular culture

Lyrics

"A fair young maid all in her garden, A strange young man comes passing by Saying fair maid, will you marry me And this answer was her reply No kind sir, I cannot marry thee For I've a love who sails all on the sea He's been gone for seven years But still no man shall marry me Well what if he's in some battle slain Or drowned in the deep salt sea Or what if he's found another love And he and his love both married be? If he's in some battle slain I will die, when the moon doth wane And if he's drowned in the deep salt sea I'll be true to his memory And if he's found another love And he and his love both married be Then I wish them health and happiness Where they now dwell across the sea He picked her up all in his arms And kisses gave her one two and three Saying weep no more my own true love I am your long lost John Riley."